Aizawl, Nov 3 (PTI) The BJP’s Mizoram unit on Tuesday defended SIR and accused the Congress and other opposition parties of politicising the exercise and undermining public confidence in democratic institutions.
Addressing a press conference here, BJP state general secretary and Mara Autonomous District Council (MADC) member Delson Notlia said Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was not a new exercise introduced by the present government and had been conducted 12 times between 1952 and 2025, including 10 times under Congress-led governments.
Citing Article 324 of the Constitution and Section 21(3) of the Representation of the People Act, 1950, he said the Election Commission had the legal mandate to undertake revisions of electoral rolls.
“If SIR was a legitimate administrative exercise under Congress governments, the same process should not now be portrayed as an attack on democracy merely because it is being conducted under another government,” he said.
Notlia said the primary objective of SIR was to identify and remove duplicate entries, names of deceased persons, voters who had permanently shifted, outdated records and other irregularities.
Referring to claims regarding the deletion of around 13 crore entries, he said the figure included people who may have moved elsewhere, those unavailable during surveys or mapping, deceased persons and duplicate entries, and should not automatically be equated with the disenfranchisement of genuine voters.
The BJP leader also rejected the opposition’s contention that SIR was responsible for the Congress’ electoral decline, saying the party had suffered defeats long before the current exercise.
He cited Congress’ loss in 56 state Assembly elections between 2014 and 2025 and said its decline should be viewed in the context of broader political developments rather than attributed solely to electoral-roll revision.
Notlia said challenges to SIR had also reached the Supreme Court and maintained that electoral roll revision should be viewed within the constitutional framework.
Political parties should respect institutions such as the Election Commission and seek judicial remedies when they have grievances, he said.
The BJP leader also criticised protests against SIR, alleging that some political groups were attempting to weaken public confidence in constitutional institutions.
He expressed concern over alleged violence and threats against election officials, police personnel, women officers, Booth Level Officers and other government employees involved in the electoral process.
He further raised concerns over alleged foreign funding and interference in India’s internal political affairs, saying such allegations should be investigated in accordance with law.
He also linked unchecked illegal immigration and inaccurate citizenship records with concerns over electoral integrity and national security.
Calling for respect for the people’s mandate, Notlia said peaceful protest was a democratic right but “violence, threats, misinformation and foreign interference” could not be allowed to become instruments for changing governments.
Meanwhile, BJP Mizoram said it would organise a “Save Democracy, Remove Bad Governance” march in Aizawl on Wednesday. PTI CORR MNB
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